PGME Global Health Education Initiative - Global Surgical Scholar Program

PGME Global Health Education Initiative - Global Surgical Scholar Program

Global Health Opportunities for Residents and Fellows
We encourage residents to pursue endeavours through one or more of the following ways:

  • Complete a Global Health Elective, See details from this link
  • Complete the PGME Global Health Education Initiative (GHEI) certificate program (GHEI). See details from this link and below. 
  • Participate in the Global Surgical Scholar Program (GSSP). See details from this link. 
  • Please discuss participation in global health initiatives with your Program Director and finding a mentor with joanna.giddens@utoronto.ca

All Surgical Residents and Fellows are invited to apply for the PGME Global Health Education Initiative (GHEI);  
A certificate program for trainees from across all programs and specialties. 

About the PGME Global Health Education Initiative - Global Surgical Scholar Program
Global health is a conceptual framework to understand how expressions of health and illness are impacted by underlying determinants to affect world populations. In Toronto, the most multicultural city in the world, global health is local health and local health is global health. Global Health knowledge and skills are useful in everyday practice in Canada and are critical to solving the most challenging health problems affecting individuals and communities locally, nationally and globally. Global Health at Postgraduate Medical Education is led by Dr. Barry Pakes, PGME Global Health Lead and Director, Global Health Education Initiative; Director, Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency Program and Ms. Judy Kopelow, Manager, PGME Global Health Programming and Strategic Initiatives; Administrative Director PGME Global Health Education Initiative.

The Global Health Education Initiative, led by Post Graduate Medical Education, is an exciting initiative which fills a long-recognized gap in the training of health professionals who are interested in making an impact in the global health scene. The following themes are incorporated in the content and delivery of each module: global health leadership, values in global health, identifying and mitigating health inequalities and inequities, inter-professional collaboration, vulnerable and marginalized populations, cross-cultural communication, capacity building and education, social responsibility and accountability in education plus research and practise.
The program adds to informal mentoring by providing a structured, evidence-based, and carefully designed curriculum in a small group format - an approach to global health education unique to this program and to the university. The University of Toronto is home to one of the largest concentrations of Global Health leaders in the world. As GHEI participants, you will have access to these individuals who have committed to sharing their expertise and passion for global health with you. By taking part in this program you will be part of a growing community of professionals dedicated to using more innovative and effective methods to address the needs of marginalized populations at home, and underserved populations abroad. You will also be contributing to the fulfillment of the Faculty of Medicine's mandate towards social accountability within and outside the borders of the University, the City of Toronto and globally. Balancing the demands of residency; challenges with the GHEI program may not be easy, but your future patients and their communities will thank you.

Information from j.kopelow@utoronto.ca and from this link.

Opportunities for Faculty (Selected)
If you are interested in becoming involved in international outreach, please feel free to connect with any of our featured Mentors or featured faculty in the prospectus. Follows are examples of opportunities.